Grant Program

About the Foundation Research Program

The Foundation supports basic, applied, clinical and behavioral research associated with ultra-endurance sports. Research directly applicable to ultra-endurance sports, as well as research using ultra-endurance activities as models for other physiological or psychological stress, is of interest. The Foundation will also consider supporting sociological, environmental and economic related research that is relevant to ultra-endurance sports.

The purpose of the Foundation Research Program is as follows:

Expand research funding opportunities for studies in ultra-endurance sports

Promote high quality and publishable research

Propose and solicit specific lines of research

Facilitate research at different ultra-endurance events

Monitor and record outcomes of the funding relative to publications and presentations

A Research Committee composed of scientists with combined expertise across the broad scope of ultra-endurance sports science oversee the Foundation Research Program.

Grant Proposal Submission

The annual deadline for receipt of proposals is November 1. All proposals should be submitted electronically to Dr. Marty Hoffman at m.hoffman@ultrasportsscience.org.

Proposals should include the following sections:

Cover Page: Include the title of the project, principal investigator’s name and contact information, and research team members with affiliations.

Abstract of the Project (1 page): Include the headings Introduction, Purpose, and Methods.

Biographical Sketches of the Research Team (maximum 3 pages each): Include information regarding Education, Professional Experience, Memberships and Honors, Research Support, and Publications.

Budget: Please note that funding for each grant is currently limited to $5000 (US). Funding for major equipment items and salary support will not be considered. Note that the Foundation may consider partial funding when budget requests appear excessive or limited resources are available.

Letters of Support: When the project is to be performed at a specific event, it is essential to provide evidence that the research has been discussed with and approved by the event organizer. This is best achieved through a letter from the event director making it clear that there is agreement on the level of support required for the project to be successful. Letters from other key individuals involved in the project may also be included in the proposal submission if the investigator believes this will clarify the level of support from these people.

Safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research funded by the Foundation is the responsibility of the investigator and institution with which the researcher is affiliated. The investigator must assure institutional review board (IRB) approval of the work prior to initiation of the work.

Review Process and Funding Decisions

The Foundation Research Committeewill provide unbiased review of grant submissions. Rest assured that if a Committee member has involvement with a grant submission, they will be properly recused. Decisions regarding approval of proposed research will be based upon the importance, practical impact, and feasibility of the work, likelihood that the work will result in scientific publications, evidence of an appropriate risk to benefit ratio, and that the work will result in tolerable interference for the study participants and the event, if performed at a race.

It is expected that funded research will result in publishable work and that investigators will present their findings at future Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports Conferences.